Ogura dominates Red Bull Ring 1 after first lap drama

Japanese rider escapes the drama in first race of the weekend

Ai Ogura overcame a first lap collision that knocked down both Can Öncü and Aleix Viu and rode a brilliant race to stamp his authority on the first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race of the weekend. The 16-year-old Japanese recovered from the incident at the second tight right hander, slotting into tenth place, but took the lead on lap four.

Though chased hard by fellow Japanese 16-year-old Kazuki Masaki and 15-year-old Ryusei Yamanaka, Ogura inched away to win convincingly and they filled the rostrum places. Can Öncü remounted his KTM RC 250 R to finish 14th and Aleix Viu 10th.

Take the win
Though Ogura made the win look comfortable it was far from it, as he revealed when he limped painfully from the bike in parc fermé. “I was in a lot of pain from the ankle through the race. I was hit at the second corner and almost crashed, then almost crashed again in a collision going away from the corner. It was very hard, especially over the bump into turn one.”
“I didn’t change the bike after qualifying,” explained Ogura. “It is still only 80% right but I would rather ride it like that than risk making it worse. I will do the same tomorrow.”

Take the points
Looking for something extra for Sunday’s Race 2 is second placed Masaki. “When I saw Viu and Öncü go out on the first lap I thought immediately that I must take points for the Cup. Then when Ogura came past he was faster and I had a bit of a problem with my rear suspension.”
“I couldn’t catch him so I just concentrated on finishing well in second place and I am very happy that I managed that, it is very good for the championship. I need to improve the bike so we will probably change it for tomorrow and hope to challenge for the win.”

Take another shot tomorrow
Yamanaka was happy enough about his bike but not the result. “It was a difficult race. Ogura was on his own and we were trying to catch him. I think I could have done that, my bike was working very well but instead I was battling with Masaki and the others and I couldn’t get a clear run to chase Ogura. I hope the race works out differently tomorrow because I think that I can race with him.”

And the Europeans
Though it was mostly the three Japanese at the front, the second place battle also featured Adrián Carrasco, the 14-year-old Spaniard who took a fine fourth ahead of German 17-year-old Matthias Meggle. The pair mixed it with Masaki and Yamanaka a few times but neither could break through and go after Ogura.

Viu hadn’t taken the knock that Öncü did but had to work hard for his six points. “When I picked the bike up and got going I took it a bit easy to make sure everything was OK before I really pushed, then I managed to catch people and was lapping at the same pace as the leaders. So I’m happy with that, not the result but that the pace was there and I can have a good race tomorrow.”

Viu hadn’t taken the knock that Öncü did but had to work hard for his six points. “When I picked the bike up and got going I took it a bit easy to make sure everything was OK before I really pushed, then I managed to catch people and was lapping at the same pace as the leaders. So I’m happy with that, not the result but that the pace was there and I can have a good race tomorrow.”

Viu hadn’t taken the knock that Öncü did but had to work hard for his six points. “When I picked the bike up and got going I took it a bit easy to make sure everything was OK before I really pushed, then I managed to catch people and was lapping at the same pace as the leaders. So I’m happy with that, not the result but that the pace was there and I can have a good race tomorrow.”

Broadcast
This weekend's Rookies Cup races can be seen live on motogp.com and www.redbull.tv.

Race 2 is on Sunday at 15.30, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.